Cape Horn Fire still 1,308 acres in size

BAYVIEW - Despite the rain Friday evening and Saturday morning, the Cape Horn Fire continued to grow Saturday as firefighters wrestled with steep terrain which slowed progress on containing the fire.

Western Montana Type II Interagency Incident Management Team issued an update on the fire at 9:30 p.m., saying the fire has now grown to 1,308 acres, which is only 12 acres larger than reported on Friday evening.

The fire remains at 50 percent contained. Fire fighters are struggling with extremely steep terrain making it difficult to get heavy equipment on the fire lines.

"Along the north side of the fire, mechanical line was mostly completed. Due to the extremely steep terrain adjacent to Lake Pend Oreille with slopes in the 70 to 80 percent range hand crews will continue to work the fire line tomorrow and work towards tying in with the shoreline," the fire command update said. "Crews continued building containment lines and held off on burnout operations along the fire perimeter due to the weather conditions."

Helicopter operations were not in effect today due to weather conditions, they added.

The amount of personnel continues to increase with 14 20-person crews, 26 engines, three helicopters, one fire boat, one navy boat, two sheriff boats, four dozers, 13 water tenders. for a total personnel count of 498.

There has been some confusion over roadblocks on Cape Horn Road as the road block on Highway 54 has been lifted.

"All roadblocks and closures on Cape Horn Road remain in effect to the general public with access to property owners and residents only, and those with pertinent business interests." the update said. "The area is a hazardous environment with many smoldering hot spots, rolling rocks and logs."

Incident command said intermittent cooler and wetter conditions with potential for thunderstorms could make conditions more dangerous in the Cape Horn area.

"With the added moisture over the fire area, be aware for potential rolling rocks and logs." the release said. "Firefighters and utility personnel are traveling and working directly from the road. We ask residents to use extreme caution when traveling in the area."

Meanwhile, the fire information center at the Bayview Community Center will be closed beginning today.

Saturday night's meeting was held at the Bayview Community Center. The next community meeting will be announced in posters around the community, Facebook, and Inciweb with as much lead time as possible, the release said.

The fire is still considered under investigation. Any rumors of cause and origin are speculative and unsubstantiated fire managers said.